Lions Clubs in the UK have been collecting old and unwanted spectacles since 1967. The number of collection points keeps on growing and around 400 Lions Clubs currently collect a total of over 1.5 million pairs a year.
Reepham Lions manage local collections here in Reepham with collection bins in the Bircham Centre and at Kings Opticians, as well as branches of Cecil Amey in Holt and Aylsham. When we have amassed a sizeable quantity, we sort them and box them up, then send them on to the Lions central depot in Birmingham.
From Birmingham, they are shipped out to Lions Clubs and other charities working in third world countries such as Nigeria, the Philippines and Nepal. These glasses provide the gift of better sight in countries where spectacles can be an expensive luxury. We’re proud to support this work.
Hearing aids can also be recycled and reused; we accept them in our collecting bins too.
In addition, we are happy to receive unwanted designer spectacle cases, which are sold to raise funds for Lions Clubs’ work in local communities.
Most of Reepham Lions Club’s activity is focused on our own local area with funds donated for good causes close to home. However, we are proud to be part of the worldwide Lions community and do our bit to support campaigns such as the Recycle for Sight initiative.
